Dr. Hossain Sarwar Khan, Line Director of National AIDS STD Programme (NASP) has visited YPSA led Drop in Center (DIC) established for the floating sex workers in Cox’sbazar. Dr. Anisur Rahman, DPM, Dr. Gias Uddin, DPM of NASP, Md. Shakhawat Alam, Senior Project Manager and Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Manager (PLWH), HIV sector Save the Children were also present with Dr. Hossain.
YPSA Consortium has been implementing a project “HIV/AIDS Prevention Services for Street Based Sex Workers and their Clients, Package # SP -2” funded by World Bank and supported by Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National AIDS STD Programme of Bangladesh.
Drop in Centers were set up with the objectives of providing health education including STD, HIV, AIDS awareness program, condom promotion, voluntary counseling and testing, creating alternative scope for income generation through skill training, introducing adult non formal literacy program, organizing training for SBSW & their clients & peer outreach workers.
“How many days we will be able to do this kind of job? We do not like this type of terrible life leading. Someday, there will be no necessity for us as we grow older and lose our beauty and sexuality. We will need alternative way of surviving. If we get training on handicraft making, sewing, beauty parlor etc. that could ensure our future life when we get older” said floating sex workers while talking with the visitors.
“We have been getting services from this center for one year. Floating sex workers are being increased in Cox’sbazar day by day. Sex workers are seen not only in Cox’sbazar, but also in its nearest area Himchary and Inani. They need services like this and more DIC needed to establish in that areas” they added.